Hershel Woody Williams VA Medical Center

Palliative Care

Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing patients relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness, no matter the diagnosis or stage of disease. Palliative care teams aim to improve the quality of life for both patients and their families. This form of care is offered alongside curative or other treatments you may be receiving.

Palliative Care at the Hershel Woody Williams VA is provided by a team of specially trained physician, physician assistant, nurse, social worker, chaplain, and psychologist. They work with you, your family and your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support that complements your ongoing care.

Why it's done

Palliative care may be offered to people of any age who have a serious or life-threatening illness. It can help adults living with illnesses such as:

• Cancer
• Blood and bone marrow disorders.
• Heart disease
• Dementia
• End-stage liver disease
• Kidney failure
• Lung disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Stroke
• ALS

Symptoms that may be improved by palliative care include:

• Pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Depression or sadness
• Constipation
• Difficulty breathing
• Anorexia
• Fatigue
• Trouble sleeping

How you prepare

Here's some information to help you get ready for your first consultation appointment.

• Bring a list of symptoms you're experiencing. Note specifically what makes the symptoms better or worse and whether they affect your ability to go about your daily activities.
• Bring a list of medications and supplements you use.
• Consider bringing a family member or friend with you to the appointment.
• Bring any advance directives and living wills you've completed.

What you can expect

Palliative care is an approach to care that you may want to access at any stage of a serious illness. It helps you manage symptoms and address concerns that matter most to you. You may consider palliative care when you have questions about:

• What to expect with your care plan and how to tailor it to what matters most to you
• What programs and resources are available to support you throughout your illness
• Your treatment options and their pros and cons
• Making decisions in line with your personal values and goals

Your palliative care consult may take place when you are an inpatient in the hospital or as a scheduled outpatient appointment. These appointments can also occur using video connect technology.

During the consultation

Your palliative care team will talk with you about your symptoms, current treatments, and how this illness is affecting you and your family. You and your palliative care team make a plan to prevent and ease suffering and improve your daily life. This plan will be carried out in coordination with your primary care team in a way that works well with any other treatment you're receiving.

Your palliative care plan is designed to fit your life and needs. It may include elements such as:

• Symptom management. Your palliative care plan will include steps to address your symptoms and improve your comfort and well-being. The care team will answer questions you may have, such as whether your pain medicines will affect treatments you're receiving from your primary care doctor.
• Support and advice. Palliative care services include support for the many difficult situations and decisions you and your family make when you're facing a serious illness. You and your family may talk with a palliative care social worker, chaplain or other team member about stress, spiritual questions, financial concerns or how your family will cope if a loved one dies. The palliative care specialists may offer guidance or connect you with community resources.
• Referrals. Your palliative care clinician may refer you to other doctors: for example, specialists in psychiatry, pain medicine or integrative medicine.
• Advance care planning. A palliative care team member can talk with you about goals and wishes for your care. This information could then be used to help you develop a living will, advance directive and a health care power of attorney.

Your palliative care team collaborates with your regular doctors to ensure your care is well-coordinated.

What is the difference between Hospice and Palliative Care?

• Palliative care is provided when the Veteran is still seeking treatment.
• Palliative Care offers control of a progressing illness when there is general agreement of a life expectancy of greater than 6 months.
• Palliative care (unlike Hospice) carries a co-pay just as any other medical service provided by the VA would.
• Hospice care is provided when there is a life expectancy of 6 months or less. Hospice care has no co-pays and is provided without charge for ALL Veterans through the VA Medical Benefits package.
• Even if you have never been enrolled in the VA, as a Veteran you have the option of receiving hospice care without cost by virtue of your service to our country.
• Hospice in the community is paid for and provided by special Hospice Community Partners.
• These Hospice Community Partners work with you and your family in the comfort of your home.
• Both provide expert palliative care.

• Dr. Joye Martin, Chief of Geriatric Services
• Dr. Paula Taylor, Inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care Provider
• Chanda Griffith, Outpatient Palliative Care Physician Assistant
• Christina Davis, Hospice and Palliative Care Coordinator, SW
• Kelly Levy, Outpatient Social Worker
• Rick Ross, Palliative Care RN
• Chaplain Oscar Rose
• Dr. Kathryn Conaway, Palliative Care Psychologist

Who to contact for more information or assistance:

Palliative Care Office at 304-429-6741 ext. 2842 or 2845